CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The subject matter of this patent application is related to that disclosed in patent
application S.N. (CEL-87-35), filed April 19, 1988.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Porphyrins and tetrazaporphins are organic materials which have utility in a broad
range of applications, such as pigments, laser dyes, photoconductors, optical recording
media, and the like.
[0003] United States patents 4,061,654; 4,622,179; 4,731,312; 4,749,637; 4,766,054; 4,719,613;
and 4,725,525 describe novel phthalocyanine and naphthalocyanine type dyes which are
adapted for application in optical recording systems.
[0004] U.S. 4,622,174 describes metallo-porphyrin complexes which are proposed for application
in transparent protective laser shields.
[0005] U.S. 4,657,554 describes water-soluble azaphthalocyanines which are useful as photoactivators
in textile bleaching operations.
[0006] J. Am. Chem. Soc.,
106, 7404(1984) by Wheeler et al describes the synthesis and characterization of bis(tri-n-hexylsiloxy)(2,3-phthalocyaninato)silicon
and its dimer.
[0007] Poly. Prepr. (Am. Soc., Div. Polym. Chem.) by Moyer et al describes the synthesis
of monomeric silicon naphthalocyanine, and conducting cofacial polymers derived from
the monomer.
[0008] German Offenlegungsschrift 37-11-762-A1 published October 27, 1988 is a particularly
pertinent disclosure which describes mixed phthalo-naphthalocyanines and thin radiation-sensitive
films containing these compounds.
[0009] There is a continuing interest in the development of new and improved porphyrin and
tetrazaporphin type structures for specialized applications deriving from unique physicochemical
and optical properties.
[0010] Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide tetrazaporphin compositions
which exhibit a novel combination of optical properties, and provide process embodiments
for their production.
[0011] It is another object of this invention to provide thin film optical media which exhibit
a broad range of light absorption capability.
[0012] It is a further object of this invention to provide optical light switch and light
modulator devices with a novel nonlinear optical component comprising a thin film
of a tetrazaporphin composition.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from
the accompanying description and examples.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] One or more objects of the present invention are accomplished by the provision of
a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range
of about 660-850 nm.
[0015] For many applications an invention tetrazaporphin dye mixture is in the form of a
thin film optical medium.
[0016] A thin film optical medium can consist of the tetrazaporphin dye mixture alone, or
in combination with other constituents such as a polymeric matrix. A dye mixture can
be formed into a homogeneous blend with a polymer such as polyacrylate, polyurethane,
polyester, polyvinyl halide, polyamide, polyether, polysiloxane, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidone,
polyvinyl polymers with pendant side chains that exhibit nonlinear optical response,
and the like.
[0017] A dye/polymer blend can be prepared by admixing powders of the dye mixture and the
polymer and heating the admixture until a homogeneous melt phase is formed. The melt
phase can be compressed or molded into suitable shaped bodies. Preferably, the dye
mixture constitutes between about 40-95 weight percent of the blended product.
[0018] An invention tetrazaporphin mixture is soluble in a wide variety of organic solvents,
such as tetrahydrofuran, benzene, pyridine, quinoline, dimethylformide, chloroform,
and the like. A solution of an invention tetrazaporphin mixture can be cast, sprayed
or spin-coated to form thin films on substrates such as optical glass.
[0019] A present invention tetrazaporphin dye mixture typically will be comprised of substituted
or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine or phthalo/naphthalcyanine structures;
or substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, anthracyanine and phthalo/anthracyanine
structures; or substituted or unsubstituted naphthalocyanine, anthracyanine and naphthalo/anthracyanine
structures, or substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, anthracyanine
and phthalo/naphthalo/anthracyanine structures; or the like.
[0020] A present invention tetrazaporphin mixture in the form of an optical medium can have
an external field-induced noncentrosymmetric molecular orientation, and exhibit second
order nonlinear optical susceptibility.
[0021] The term "external field" as employed herein refers to an electric, magnetic or mechanical
stress field which is applied to a substrate of mobile organic molecules, to induce
dipolar alignment of the molecules parallel to the field.
[0022] In another embodiment this invention provides a thin film optical medium comprising
a mixture of tetrazaporphin dye constituents which exhibits light absorption over
a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm, and which dye constituents have different structures
respectively corresponding to the formula:

where M is a coordinated silicon or metal containing group; and Z¹, Z², Z³ and Z⁴
individually are one of the following structures:

where X is hydrogen, halogen or an aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing
1-12 carbon atoms, and m is an integer with a value of 1-2.
[0023] The M coordinated group can contain an element such as Si, Cu, Mg, Ca, Sr, Zn, Cd,
Al, Ga, In, Tl, Ge, Sn, Pb, Ti, Sb, Bi, V, Nb, Ta, Te, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Tc, Fe, Co,
Ni, Ru, Pd, Os, Sr, Pt, and the like. The M group can be in the form of an oxide,
halide, siloxy, metalorgano, or the like.
[0024] Illustrative of a dye mixture corresponding to the above represented formula is a
blend wherein in one dye constituent Z¹, Z¹, Z³ and Z⁴ are each a benzo structure;
in another dye constituent Z¹, Z² and Z³ are each a benzo structure, and Z⁴ is a naphthalo
structure; in another dye constituent Z¹ and Z² are each a benzo structure, and Z³
and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure; in another dye constituent Z¹ and Z³ are each
a benzo structure, and Z² and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure; in another dye constituent
Z¹ is a benzo structure, and Z², Z³ and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure; and in
another dye constituent Z¹, Z², Z³ and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure.
[0025] The X substituent in the above represented formulae can be hydrogen, chloro, bromo,
fluoro, trimethylsilyl, methyl, isobutyl, hexyl, butenyl, methoxy, cyclohexyl, pyridyl,
phenyl, tolyl, and the like.
[0026] In another embodiment this invention provides an optical recording system having
a recording medium component which consists of a thin film comprising a mixture of
tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range of about
660-850 nm.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment the thin film of the recording system is comprised of a
mixture of dye constituents which have different structures respectively corresponding
to the formula:

where Y is a silicon, germanium, vanadium, tin, aluminum, gallium, indium, titanium,
zirconium or hafnium atom; Z is halogen, hydroxyl, oxido, siloxy or an aliphatic,
alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing 1-12 carbon atoms; n is an integer with
a value of 0-2; and L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ individually are benzo or naphthalo structures.
[0028] In another embodiment this invention provides an optical light switch or light modulator
device with a nonlinear optical component which is a thin film comprising a mixture
of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range of about
660-850 nm.
[0029] A typical nonlinear optical thin film component in an invention device will exhibit
third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ
(3). In a preferred embodiment the nonlinear optical thin film component has an external
field-induced noncentrosymmetric molecular orientation, and exhibits second order
nonlinear optical susceptibility χ
(2).
[0030] A present invention tetrazaporphin mixture optical medium exhibits bistable states
of light transmission, and can be utilized as a saturable absorber component in the
etalon cavity of a Fabry-Perot resonator.
Preparation Of Tetrazaporphin Mixtures
[0031] In another embodiment this invention provides a process for producing a mixture of
tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range of about
660-850 nm, which comprises reacting a 1,3-diiminoisoindoline compound with a 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline
compound in a solvent medium.
[0032] In the practice of the process, the 1,3-diiminoisoindoline reactant is utilized in
a quantity between about 0.3-1.5 moles per mole of 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline reactant,
and the reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range between about 40°-250°C.
[0033] In another embodiment this invention provides a process for producing a mixture of
tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range of about
660-850 nm, which comprises reacting 1,3-diiminoisoindoline with 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline
in a molar ratio of about 0.5-1.5:1 at a temperature in the range between about 40°-250°C
in a solvent medium containing a metallizing reagent, wherein the dye constituents
of the product mixture have different structures respectively corresponding to the
formula:

where Y is a silicon, germanium, vanadium, tin, aluminum, gallium, indium, titanium,
zirconium or hafnium atom; Z is halogen, hydroxyl, oxido, siloxy or an aliphatic,
alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing 1-12 carbon atoms; n is an integer with
a value of 0-2; and L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ individually are benzo or naphthalo structures.
[0034] A dye mixture produced by the reaction of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline with 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline
and a metallizing reagent is composed of six different macrocyclic compounds corresponding
to the following structures:

[0035] The solvent medium normally will be an organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, quinoline
or pyridine, and a typical metallizing reagent is silicon tetrachloride. Depending
on the selected reactants and reaction conditions, the reaction period normally will
vary in the range between about 0.5-5 hours.
[0036] After the reaction period is completed, the dye product can be separated by precipitating
the product from solution by cooling and/or by the addition of a diluent such as methanol.
The crystalline dye product can be redissolved in a solvent for the preparation of
thin film coatings on selected substrates.
[0037] The following examples are further illustrative of the present invention. The components
and specific ingredients are presented as being typical, and various modifications
can be derived in view of the foregoing disclosure within the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLE I
[0038] This Example illustrates the preparation of phthalo/naphthalcyanine dye mixtures
with a 1:1 mole ratio of isoindoline reactants in accordance with the present invention.
A. Dichlorosilicon benzophthalocyanine
[0039] A mixture of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline (3.528 g, 24.11 mmoles), 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline
(4.732 g, 24.11 mmoles), silicon tetrachloride (2.76 ml, 24.11 mmole) and azeotropically
distilled quinoline (100 ml) is refluxed for 1.5 hours. The resultant suspension is
cooled to room temperature, and the solid phase is separated by filtration, washed
with methanol, and vacuum dried at room temperature for 14 hours. The solid product
(5.471 g) has a blue-green color, and gives a positive Beilstein test for halogen.
B. Dihydroxysilicon benzophthalocyanine
[0040] A mixture of dichlorosilicon benzophthalocyanine (5.471 g) and concentrated sulfuric
acid (50 ml) is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. The reaction solution is
poured onto ice, and the resulting suspension is filtered to separate the solid product.
The product is washed with water, and vacuum dried at room temperature for 14 hours.
[0041] The solid product is admixed with pyridine (50 ml) and concentrated ammonium hydroxide
(5 ml), and the admixture is refluxed for one hour. The resulting reaction medium
suspension is filtered, and the separated solid product is washed with methanol, and
vacuum dried at room temperature for 14 hours. The product (5.361 g) is a bright blue-green
solid which gives a negative Beilstein test for halogen.
C. Bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy)silicon benzophthalocyanine
[0042] A mixture of dihydroxysilicon benzophthalocyanine (5.0 g), dimethyloctadecylchlorosilane
(7.26 g) (Aldrich Chemical Company), tributylamine (5 ml) and azeotropically distilled
3-picoline (100 ml) is refluxed for 4 hours. The reaction medium is filtered hot (medium
frit), and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure.
[0043] The liquid concentrate is diluted with ethanol/water (1:1), and the formed suspension
is filtered to isolate the solid phase. The solid is washed with ethanol and vacuum
dried at room temperature for 14 hours to yield 5.502 g of product.
[0044] A portion (1.036 g) of the solid product is purified by column chromatography (alumina
III, wet loaded, hexanes-toluene 4:1). The purified product (279 mg) is a bright blue-green
solid which is soluble in chloroform, methylene chloride, and toluene, and is slightly
soluble in hexanes and acetone.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a UV-VIS-NIR spectrum of the bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy)silicon benzophthalocyanine
product (1:1 mole ratio).
[0046] Table I summarizes a NMR spectrum of the preferred product.
[0047] NMR (200 MHz, C₆D₅CD₃) 10.26, 10.24, 10.20, 10.19 (Nap-H), 9.77 (Ph-H), 8.35 (Nap-H),
8.01 (Ph-H), 7.62 (Nap-H), -2.10 (O-Ph; 4-Nap, Si-CH₃), -2.20 (1-Ph; 3-Nap, SiCH₃),
-2.31 (2-Ph; 2-Nap, Si-CH₃), -2.33 (2-Ph; 2-Nap, Si-CH₃), -2.46 (3-Ph; 1-Nap, Si-CH₃),
-2.59 (4-Ph; O-Nap, Si-CH₃) ppm.
Table I
NMR Analysis of Mixed Phthalocyanine-Naphthalocyanine Silicon Metallated Ring Systems
Si(BPc)(OSi(CH₃)₂C₁₈H₃₇)₂ (C₆D₅CD₃) |
Number of Rings |
Shift of SiCH₃ (ppm) |
Content* (%) |
Phthalo |
Naphthalo |
|
|
0 |
4 |
-2.10 |
9.60 |
1 |
3 |
-2.20 |
25.16 |
2 |
2 |
-2.31 |
25.47 |
2 |
2 |
-2.33 |
12.44 |
3 |
1 |
-2.46 |
21.54 |
4 |
0 |
-2.59 |
5.79 |
*By integration of SiCH₃ resonance. |
EXAMPLE II
[0048] This Example illustrates the preparation of phthalo/naphthalocyanine dye mixtures
with a 1:3 mole ratio of isoindoline reactants in accordance with the present invention.
A. Dichlorosilicon benzophthalocyanine
[0049] A mixture of 1,3-diiminoisoindoline (0.878 g, 6.05 mmoles), 1,3-diiminobenz(f)isoindoline
(3.463 g, 17.74 mmoles), silicon tetrachloride 2.76 ml, 24.11 mmole) and azeotropically
distilled quinoline (100 ml) is refluxed for 1.5 hours. The reaction medium suspension
is cooled and filtered to separate the solid phase. After washing with methanol and
vacuum drying, a 3.276 g yield of a green solid is obtained, which gives a positive
Beilstein test.
B. Dihydroxysilicon benzophthalocyanine
[0050] In the manner previously described, a mixture of dichlorosilicon benzophthalocyanine
(1:3 mole ratio) (3.276 g) and concentrated sulfuric acid (50 ml) is stirred at room
temperature for 3 hours. The reaction medium is poured onto ice, and the resulting
suspension is filtered, and the separated solid is washed with water and then dried.
[0051] The recovered solid is mixed with pyridine (50 ml) and concentrated ammonium hydroxide
(5 ml), and the mixture is refluxed for 1.5 hours. The resulting suspension is filtered,
and the isolated solid is washed with methanol and then dried to yield 6.089 g of
a bright green product which gives a negative Beilstein test for halogen.
C. Bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy)silicon benzophthalocyanine (1:3 mole ratio)
[0052] A mixture of dihydroxysilicon benzophthalocyanine (1:3 mole ratio) (6.0 g), dimethyloctadecylchlorosilane
(15.2 g), tributylamine (5 ml), and azeotropically distilled 3-picoline (100 ml) is
refluxed for 4 hours. In the manner previously described, a solid product (9.959 g)
is obtained.
[0053] A portion of the product (3.54 g) is purified by column chromatography [alumina III,
dry loaded (alumina V), hexanes-toluene 4:1], and vacuum dried for 14 hours at room
temperature to yield 70 mg of product. The product is characterized by IR, UV-VIS-NIR
and NMR data similar to the product of Example I(C).
[0054] FIG. 2 is a UV-VIS-NIR spectrum of the bis(dimethyloctadecylsiloxy)silicon benzophthalocyanine
product (1:3 mole ratio).
[0055] Table II summarizes a NMR spectrum of the purified product.
Table II
NMR Analysis of Mixed Phthalocyanine-Naphthalocyanine Silicon Metallated Ring Systems
Si(BPc)(OSi(CH₃)₂C₁₈H₃₇)₂ (C₆D₅CD₃) |
Number of Rings |
Shift of SiCH₃ (ppm) |
Content* (%) |
Phthalo |
Naphthalo |
|
|
0 |
4 |
-2.10 |
20.84 |
1 |
3 |
-2.20 |
40.40 |
2 |
2 |
-2.31 |
17.77 |
2 |
2 |
-2.33 |
10.12 |
3 |
1 |
-2.46 |
5.86 |
4 |
0 |
-2.59 |
- |
*By integration of SiCH₃ resonance. |
1. A mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum
range of about 660-850 nm.
2. A thin film optical medium comprising a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits
light absorption over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm.
3. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 which is a homogeneous blend of the
dye mixture and an organic polymer.
4. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 wherein the dye mixture is comprised
of substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine and phthalo/naphthalocyanine
structures.
5. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 wherein the dye mixture is comprised
of substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, anthracyanine and phthalo/anthracyanine
structures.
6. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 wherein the dye mixture is comprised
of substituted or unsubstituted naphthalocyanine, anthracyanine and naphthalo/anthracyanine
structures.
7. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 wherein the dye mixture is comprised
of substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanine, naphthalocyanine, anthracyanine and
phthalo/naphthalo/anthracyanine structures.
8. An optical medium in accordance with claim 2 which has an external field-induced
noncentrosymmetric molecular orientation, and which exhibits second order nonlinear
optical susceptibility χ(2).
9. A thin film optical medium comprising a mixture of tetrazaporphin dye constituents
which exhibits light absorption over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm, and which
dye constituents have different structures respectively corresponding to the formula:

where M is a coordinated silicon or metal containing group; and Z¹, Z², Z³ and Z⁴
individually are one of the following structures:

where X is hydrogen, halogen or an aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing
1-12 carbon atoms, and m is an integer with a value of 1-2.
10. An optical medium in accordance with claim 9 wherein in one dye constituent Z¹,
Z², Z³ and Z⁴ are each a benzo structure; in another dye constituent Z¹, Z² and Z³
are each a benzo structure, and Z⁴ is a naphthalo structure; in another dye constituent
Z¹ and Z² are each a benzo structure, and Z³ and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure;
in another dye constituent Z¹ and Z³ are each a benzo structure, and Z² and Z⁴ are
each a naphthalo structure; in another dye constituent Z¹ is a benzo structure, and
Z², Z³ and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure; and in another dye constituent Z¹, Z²,
Z³ and Z⁴ are each a naphthalo structure.
11. A process for producing a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light
absorption over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm, which comprises reacting a 1,3-diiminoisoindoline
compound with a 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline compound in a solvent medium.
12. A process in accordance with claim 11 wherein the 1,3-diiminoisoindoline reactant
is present in a quantity between about 0.3-1.5 moles per mole of 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline,
and the reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range between about 40°-250°C.
13. A process for producing a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light
absorption over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm, which comprises reacting 1,3-diiminoisoindoline
with 1,3-diiminobenz[f]isoindoline in a molar ratio of about 0.3-1.5:1 at a temperature
in the range between about 40°-250°C in a solvent medium containing a metallizing
reagent, wherein the dye constituents of the product mixture have different structures
respectively corresponding to the formula:

where Y is a silicon, germanium, vanadium, tin, aluminum, gallium, indium, titanium,
zirconium or hafnium atom; Z is halogen, hydroxyl, oxido, siloxy or an aliphatic,
alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing 1-12 carbon atoms; n is an integer with
a value of 0-2; and L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ individually are benzo or naphthalo structures.
14. A process in accordance with claim 13 wherein the solvent medium contains an organic
solvent.
15. A process in accordance with claim 13 wherein the metallizing reagent is silicon
tetrachloride.
16. A mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes produced in accordance with the process of claim
13.
17. An optical recording system having a recording medium component which consists
of a thin film comprising a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light absorption
over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm.
18. An optical recording medium in accordance with claim 17 wherein the thin film
is comprised of a mixture of dye constituents which have different structures respectively
corresponding to the formula:

where Y is a silicon, germanium, vanadium, tin, aluminum, gallium, indium, titanium,
zirconium or hafnium atom; Z is halogen, hydroxyl, oxido, siloxy or an aliphatic,
alicyclic or aromatic substituent containing 1-12 carbon atoms; n is an integer with
a value of 0-2; and L¹, L², L³ and L⁴ individually are benzo or naphthalo structures.
19. An optical light switch or light modulator device with a nonlinear optical component
which is a thin film comprising a mixture of tetrazaporphin dyes which exhibits light
absorption over a spectrum range of about 660-850 nm.
20. A device in accordance with claim 19 in which the nonlinear optical thin film
component exhibits third order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(3).
21. A device in accordance with claim 19 in which the nonlinear optical thin film
component has an external field-induced noncentrosymmetric molecular orientation,
and exhibits second order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ(2).
22. A device in accordance with claim 19 which exhibits bistable states of light transmission.